Comparing Refractor and Reflector Telescopes: Determining the Superior Choice [Advantages and Disadvantages]
Picking the perfect telescope for a beginner can be confusing, as there are three main types to consider: refractor, reflector, or catadioptric telescopes. Let's break it down and figure out which one's right for you.
Refractor Telescopes (Ain't No Beating 'Em Blues)
Everybody loves a classic, right? That's what refractor telescopes are – the OG of the telescope world. They're the ones you typically picture when you think of a telescope, with their narrow tube that's wider at one end.
Refractor telescopes use a lens system to capture light, making them different from reflector telescopes, which use mirrors, and catadioptrics, which combine both. Don't think those subtle differences don't matter – they can make a world (or universe) of difference, depending on your needs.
Refractors were the first types of telescopes invented in the 1600s and were the go-to for amateur astronomers in the 1960s. However, their popularity dropped over the years as other telescopes entered the scene.
But wait! In recent times, advancements in technology have brought refractor telescopes back into the spotlight. They've improved in terms of cost, size, and weight, making them more competitive with other types of telescopes.
Pros of Refractor Telescopes
- Easy to use: Refractors are usually a breeze for beginners, making them a great grab-and-go telescope for quick views of the night sky.
- Portable: They're lightweight and easy to carry, making them perfect for outdoor adventures.
- Minimal maintenance: Compared to other types of telescopes, refractors have fewer moving parts, which means less hassle for you.
- Quality to price ratio: Refractors often offer good quality performance at a reasonable price.
Cons of Refractor Telescopes
- Chromatic aberration: This optical distortion can occur in cheaper refractors, causing a rainbow effect around the edge of the image. More advanced refractors don't usually suffer from this issue.
- Temperature sensitivity: Refractors need time to adjust to changes in temperature, especially when moved from indoors to outdoors. Failure to do so can result in blurry images.
- Awkward viewing position: Since you have to look through the bottom of the telescope, you might find yourself bent or stooping, which can strain your neck and back after prolonged use.
Reflector Telescopes (Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall)
Don't be fooled by their name – reflector telescopes aren't all about Sally Struthers staring back at you. These babies use a system of mirrors, instead of lenses, to collect and direct light.
If something looks familiar, it's because reflector telescopes were first designed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 1600s! You can check out his original telescope right here.
Sometimes, reflector telescopes are referred to as Dobsonian telescopes, specifically when mounted on an altazimuth mount.
Reflector telescopes have a distinct difference from refractors, with the light they collect hitting a mirror at the bottom of the telescope and then being reflected back up and out the side into the eyepiece. This means that reflector telescopes are viewed from the side, not the end.
Pros of Reflector Telescopes
- Performance to price ratio: Reflector telescopes offer high levels of performance for their price, delivering the best aperture-to-price ratio.
- Wide fields of view: Reflectors can provide you with a wide field of view, allowing you to see vast astronomical objects, like galaxies.
- No chromatic aberration: Unlike refractors, reflectors don't suffer from image distortion due to chromatic aberration.
Cons of Reflector Telescopes
- Size and weight: Reflectors can be quite large and heavy, making them difficult to store and transport.
- Eyepiece position: The eyepiece can be in an awkward position, especially if the telescope is used on an equatorial mount.
- Mirror issues: Reflectors can develop problems that degrade performance due to the mirrors.
- Collimation: Reflector telescopes require collimation, a type of adjustment needed to ensure good imaging.
- Learning curve: Reflector telescopes are generally harder to use for beginners compared to refractors.
Catadioptric Telescopes (A Mishmash of Marvels)
Catadioptric telescopes, also known as compound telescopes, were born from the love child of refractors and reflectors. They combine the lens system of refractors with the mirror system of reflectors.
The most common types of catadioptric telescopes are Schmidt-Cassegrains and Maksutov-Cassegrains. The difference between the two lies in their internal construction. Read more about that in Maksutov-Cassegrain vs Schmidt-Cassegrain.
Pros of Catadioptric Telescopes
- Compact and lightweight: Catadioptric telescopes are easy to carry, assemble, and store, thanks to their compact design.
- Minimal viewing distortion: Catadioptrics offer minimal viewing distortion, which can enhance your astral adventures.
- Good light gathering and wide-field images: Catadioptric telescopes are capable of gathering a good amount of light and can provide wide-field images, perfect for exploring the universe.
- Well-positioned eyepieces: The eyepieces in catadioptric telescopes are usually located in a user-friendly position, making them easy to use.
Cons of Catadioptric Telescopes
- Cost: Catadioptric telescopes are generally more expensive than refractors or reflectors.
- Light loss: Multiple internal mirror systems in catadioptric telescopes can result in light loss.
- Temperature sensitivity: Like refractors, catadioptrics require time to adjust to outdoor temperatures in order to produce a clear image.
- Collimation: Catadioptric telescopes also require collimation to ensure good imaging.
Choosing the best telescope for you involves weighing the pros and cons of each type, considering your budget, and prioritizing your needs. Read our guide to the best telescopes for beginners for more information and recommended options.
Happy stargazing, astronomy enthusiasts!
[1] More affordable refractors include the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ, which offers a decent balance between quality and affordability.
- Refractor telescopes, the original types of telescopes, use a lens system to capture light, distinguishing them from reflector telescopes that employ mirrors and catadioptrics that combine both.
- In astronomy, reflector telescopes, designed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 1600s, utilize a system of mirrors to collect and direct light, offering high levels of performance for their price with wide fields of view.
- Catadioptric telescopes, a hybrid of refractor and reflector telescopes, provide minimal viewing distortion and good light gathering capabilities, making them compact, easy to use, and capable of wide-field images.
- Advancements in technology have revitalized interest in refractor telescopes, improving their cost, size, and weight, making them more competitive with other types of telescopes.
- Astronomy enthusiasts interested in deep sky objects might find planetary imaging, astrophotography, and space-and-astronomy technology more fulfilling with the appropriate mount and telescope, such as a reflector or catadioptric telescope.
